Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of carotid artery calcifications detected in panoramic radiographs of patients aged 60 or older with isolated systemic diseases. Patients and Methods: From October 2018 to December 2019, 867 panoramic radiographs of patients, who applied to Dicle University Faculty of Dentistry for various dental reasons, were collected for examination. Of these 867 panoramic radiographs, 444 panoramic radiographs were included in this study. Medical data were collected from the archival records of the dental school. Results: The study population consisted of 240 female (54.1%) and 204 male (45.9%) patients. Their mean age was 66 ± 7.3 (range: 60– 92) years. Only 39 (8.8%) of the 444 patients had atherosclerotic plaques. Of the 39 patients with carotid artery calcification, 13 (33.3%) were male and 26 (66.7%) were female. As a result of statistical analysis, carotid artery calcification compared to other systemic diseases was found to be significantly more common in patients with hypertension (p = 0.009). Conclusion: Carotid artery calcifications detected coincidentally in standard panoramic radiographs of dental patients may be important markers for preventing serious risks such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and death. The relationship between carotid artery calcifications found on dental panoramic radiographs and hypertension was significant. Therefore, it seems that detection of carotid artery calcifications on panoramic images of hypertension patients must be considered by dentists.

Aim: The present study aims to employ dental volumetric tomography to examine bone mineral density among men that used antidepressants in the SSRI group for a long time. Method: The present study was conducted through the utilisation of data related to patients that presented to the Faculty of Dentistry of Dicle University and had a dental volumetric tomography (DVT) scan for any reason. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the use of antidepressants: Group 1 included 68 patients as the control group, and Group 2 consisted of 68 patients that used antidepressants. Radiomorphometric measurements were performed on DVT data: DVT-Mandibular Index (DVT-MI), DVT-Cortical Index (DVT-CI), Hounsfıeld Unit (HU) CORTICAL, and HU SPONGIOSIS values were calculated. Results: The group of patients that used antidepressants exhibited a significant increase in DVT CI and a significant decrease in HU CORTICAL, HU SPONGIOSIS and DVT MI values. These findings were suggestive of osteoporosis. Conclusion: Long-term use of antidepressants should be taken into consideration as a risk factor for osteoporosis in men.

Shilajit, a natural herbo-mineral compound with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and osteogenic properties, has been traditionally used to promote tissue repair. However, limited experimental data exist on its localized application in bone regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of Shilajit and bovine-derived xenograft on bone healing in a rat tibial defect model. Twenty-eight male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 7): Control (defect left to heal spontaneously), Graft-only, Graft + Shilajit 150 mg/kg, and Graft + Shilajit 250 mg/kg. Standardized 3 mm tibial defects were created and filled with xenograft in all groups except the Control. Shilajit was administered intraperitoneally on days 0–3 postoperatively. After 4 weeks, serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and TNF-α levels were measured. Tibial specimens underwent histopathological, histomorphometric, and TNF-α immunohistochemical analysis. High-dose Shilajit significantly increased TAS and reduced TOS compared with the Control and Graft-only groups (p < 0.001). Median TNF-α concentrations decreased in a dose-dependent manner, with the lowest values in the high-dose group (15.7 [14.3–17.1] pg/mL, p < 0.001). Histomorphometry revealed the highest new bone area percentage (78.1% [74.9–81.2]) and lowest fibrous tissue content (9.8% [8.1–11.6]) in the high-dose group. Immunohistochemistry confirmed marked suppression of TNF-α expression in Shilajit-treated groups, particularly at high doses. The combination of Shilajit and bovine-derived xenograft significantly enhanced bone regeneration in a dose-dependent manner, likely through antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and osteogenic mechanisms. These findings suggest that Shilajit may serve as a promising adjunct in bone grafting procedures.

This study aims to compare stresses from vertical and oblique forces on pterygoid and zygomatic implants, combined with dental implants, in a atrophic maxilla using finite element stress analysis. A computed tomography scan was used to create a geometric model of a completely edentulous adult maxilla. The maxillary bone was scanned using cone beam computed tomography (ILUMA, Orthocad, CBCT, 3M Imtec, Oklahoma, USA), and the obtained sections were transferred to the 3D-Doctor (Able Software Corp., MA, USA) software. Two models were created in the study. In the first model, zygomatic and dental implants were used, while in the second model, pterygoid and dental implants were used. A 150 N vertical force and a 100 N oblique force at a 30-degree buccolingual angle were applied. With finite element analysis assessed stress distribution in the implants and peri-implant bone tissue. When the obtained stress data were examined, under vertical forces, the maximum stress on the implants was higher in Model 1 (151.984 MPa) compared to Model 2 (151.773 MPa), but no significant difference was observed. The stress formed in the metal substructure was higher in Model 2 (422.042 MPa) compared to Model 1 (308.376 MPa). The maximum principal stress in the alveolar bone was greater in Model 2 (46.866 MPa) compared to Model 1 (15.719 MPa), and the minimum principal stress in the alveolar bone was also greater in Model 2 (80.360 MPa) compared to Model 1 (76.310 MPa). Under oblique forces, the average stress on the implants was higher in Model 2 (128.297 MPa) than in Model 1 (79.607 MPa). When the stresses occurring on zygomatic and pterygoid implants and the alveolar bone surrounding these implants were compared, it was observed that the use of zygomatic implants was more beneficial in reducing both dental and biomechanical stress.

Performance of AI Chatbots in Preliminary Diagnosis of Maxillofacial Pathologies - Article abstract #949076

Bisphosphonates are used in the treatment of osteoporosis, bone metastases, and metabolic bone diseases. Long-term use of bisphosphonates increases the risk of osteonecrosis in patients undergoing dental surgery. This study aimed to evaluate dentists’ knowledge about bisphosphonates and bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) and their treatment approaches in patients using oral and intravenous bisphosphonates. In this study, a 25-question questionnaire was applied to dentists working in different institutions regarding their knowledge and experience about bisphosphonates and BRONJ, and treatment approaches for different surgical procedures in patients using bisphosphonates. The obtained data were statistically analyzed and evaluated. In total, 90.5% of the dentists identified osteoporosis, 79.8% identified bone metastases, 52.4% identified osteitis deformans, and 39.3% identified multiple myeloma as conditions in which bisphosphonates are used, thus answering correctly in a significant proportion. When participants were asked about treatment options according to the stages of BRONJ, participation in the “I’m not sure” option increased as the stages progressed, indicating that dentists were not sufficiently familiar with the treatments for different stages of BRONJ. In total, 88.5% of the participants stated that when they see an exposed bone area in patients they examine, they consider bisphosphonate use as a possible cause. There was a statistically significant difference between dentists with and without prior BRONJ experience regarding their ages (P=0.039) and years of practice (P=0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between dentists with and without BRONJ experience regarding whether they inquired about bisphosphonate use (P=0.001). It was found that dentists have serious deficiencies in knowledge regarding bisphosphonates, their side effects, and treatment approaches for patients using bisphosphonates. Increasing dentists’ knowledge and awareness of this issue would help reduce the risk of developing BRONJ.